“Come in,” Marcello’s voice carried easily across the room. The door opened, revealing Benedetto lingering in the doorway. He stepped inside with visible hesitation, leaving the door ajar until Marcello arched a brow. Benedetto swallowed hard before quietly closing it.

Drawing a deep breath, he tried to steady the nerves rolling through him, then crossed the room to the desk. Marcello shut his laptop, laced his fingers together, and fixed him with an unwavering gaze that felt almost ...